flowers

9 Funeral Flowers and Their Meaning

Picking out an arrangement for a family member or friend who has passed can be overwhelming. With the many options of colors and types of flowers, it's important to know you're picking the right ones to honor your loved one. Here is a list of our most popular funeral flowers and the meaning behind their beauty.

Lilies

The most traditional funeral flowers center around the lily. The lily can be a powerful symbol of the spirit of a loved one that offers hope and encouragement to a grieving family. White is a good color to send for a faith-based or religious service.

Carnations

Carnations are a very popular choice for sympathy flowers. They are fragrant and long-lasting flowers, making them ideal for services that last for several days. A white carnation represents purity and innocence. Pink carnations send thoughts of remembrance.

Chrysanthemums

The chrysanthemum, or mum, makes a wonderful choice when mourning with a family that has ties to Europe or Asia. China, Korea and Japan use white chrysanthemums to symbolize grief.

Gladioli

When mourning someone who displayed strength and character in life, the gladioli is an excellent choice to send to the family. As a sympathy flower, its message is one of upliftment during a time of loss.

Roses

Roses have a universal meaning that makes them ideal as a funeral flower. Red roses express love and respect. Pink roses are a sign of appreciation and grace. If you're celebrating the life of a close friend, yellow roses are suitable. Like the lily, white roses tend to represent purity and innocence.

Orchids

If you wish to say “I will always love you,” send an orchid. Express your sympathy with a pink, purple or white orchid plant.

Hydrangeas

Not all funeral flowers are cut flowers. Sending a potted hydrangea plant is a good option when you want the family to have continued support. Potted hydrangeas can be planted outdoors when the family is ready, and they will bloom for years afterward.

Daffodils and Tulips

Daffodils and tulips send a message of renewal, especially bright yellow varieties. Both flowers bring encouragement and hope to a grieving family.

Forget-Me-Nots

The meaning of this flower shouldn’t be too difficult to decipher. The forget-me-not communicates a simple but essential message to a family: your loved one lives on in our hearts and memories.